Regarding Ellis’ TOs, there were a few bad passes (an alley oop that Stephane Lasme didn’t oop for stands out) but also some bad luck (he pulled up short on the break one time and lost the ball after he got knocked to the ground by Patrick O’Bryant).

There was one time at midcourt where Sam Cassell tried to reach in for a poke-check steal, and Ellis did the only thing he could do to avoid giving up the ball — he grabbed it and swung it over and around Cassell’s head, Globetrotter-style. Sure, it was a travel, but he should have got off on style points alone.

As for Belinelli, he went to the hoop a couple of times early (his first touch, he went left and pulled up to force a shooting foul on Quinton Ross), but settled for jumpers pretty much the rest of the way. If you want a 2 guard on this team who’ll attack the basket, you’re better off with Ellis or Kelenna Azubuike.

As for O’Bryant, aside from running down Ellis, he was solid if unspectacular. He had a couple of nice assists by posting up and passing off the block (finding Mickael Pietrus for a dunk and going cross-court to Al Harrington for a 3) and one high-flying rebound in traffic. And yes, seeing him be better than terrible is no longer breaking news, IMHO.

– Geoff

Has Belinelli been going to the hoop? He looked good in Summer League doing this, although I know it’s much harder in the NBA. He needs to find a way to contribute offensively when his jumpshot is off, and he’s got decent handles.

You didn’t say much about POB. Are you comfortable enough that he can contribute this year that it’s no longer newsworthy?